A Bluffer’s Guide to Doctor Who: The Rescue
There’s two types of fans: Those that love this story, and idiots.
Between You and Me:
Okay, never mind bluffing: You should watch this story. It’s only 50 minutes.
I’m not saying it’s the best, or it’s a classic. But every other guide will ruin it. Not as in reveal spoilers. No, ruiners. There’s many William Hartnell stories I’d eagerly recommend: The Aztecs, The Dalek Invasion of Earth, The Romans…
There’s a few who have episodes you should watch: the first episodes of An Unearthly Child, The Reign of Terror, The Space Museum come to mind.
But The Rescue is watchable. So, make yourself a cup of tea, turn off the lights and sit down for a while…
Or, if that’s not working (and it shouldn’t, it is clearly copyright infringement) then borrow a DVD, or visit a torrent site, or get a free trial for BritBox. Otherwise, after you scroll past the image below, I’m about to ruin The Rescue for you…
Describe The Rescue in six words:
Crashed spaceship, killer alien, help arrives…
This is… the one where it was Bennett all along.
Episodes 52 — 53 out of 862
What Happens?
The only survivors of a spaceship crash are the crippled Bennett and the teenage Vicki. Both are menaced by Koquillion who Bennett claims killed the rest of the crew. The rescue ship is coming but it is important that Koquillion doesn’t know about it…
The TARDIS lands and the time-travellers meet Vicki. After deducing where they are, the Doctor works out what really happened. He confronts Koquillion, who is actually the able-bodied Bennett, who killed the crew but left Vicki to support his case.
The original inhabitants of the planet emerge and take revenge on Bennett. The Doctor invites the orphaned Vicki to join the TARDIS and she accepts.
First broadcast: 2–9 January, 1965
Why Was This Made?
Producer Verity Lambert had let actress Carole Ann Ford, who played Susan, go. During the production break, Lambert was negotiating contracts for the remaining stars. This meant that Lambert’s and Story Editor David Whitaker’s original plans of having the new TARDIS member join in the previous story — The Dalek Invasion of Earth — would be shelved, requiring a special introductory story for the new character. This character, initially named Tanni, momentarily Lukki, and then finally Vicki was to be played by Maureen O’Brien.
David Whitaker was leaving his role as Story Editor at the end of the first production block, with Dennis Spooner (who had previously written The Reign of Terror) replacing him with this story. Whitaker, however, wrote this two-part adventure as a coda to his time. Due to the brief nature of the story, it was recorded with the same team as the following story, The Romans, meaning it would be directed by Christopher Barry (who had previously directed most of The Daleks).
Observations / What to Say:
- TARDIS materialises with sound. First indication that the TARDIS can land automatically. “ship” still the preferred term
- Witty dialogue particularly noticeable. The laughs are being written in (“The trembling’s stop.” “Oh, I’m so glad you’re feeling better.”)
- Vicki: Optimistic, cheerful, fun. First orphaned companion. Nicely contrasted with the pessimistic, pragmatic Bennett (and, the snivelling Susan). Nice to see the relationship/contrast between Vicki and Bennett, and learn about their world and situation (“Beware Koquillion”) prior to them interacting with the TARDIS crew. This will become a Who trope.
- Jacqueline Hill/Barbara continues to be amazing: Asking the Doctor how to open the doors to cover up him forgetting that Susan’s gone.
- Ian says “The Doctor’s normally the first to go for a look,” and Barbara says “Knowing the Doctor, he’ll want to go and investigate” — All of which are things that are untrue based on past stories. But all of which are part of reshaping the characters and the series. By the end, the Doctor is promising Vicki “an abundance” of adventure.
- The Doctor has fond memories of a previous untelevised adventure to Dido (and recognises the masks and gloves being worn by Bennett).
Hot Take:
- Vicki is great.
- Some retrospective reviewers call the resolution to the mystery obvious. They’re idiots. The story never plays like a mystery, you’re never meant to be looking for clues. If you were, then of course it’s obvious because there’s only one suspect. It’s only when the Doctor enters Bennett’s quarters and starts poking around are you meant to think that it’s anything out of the ordinary (the ordinary Doctor Who story at this point being all about getting back to the inaccessible TARDIS by getting round the villains which is what we have: TARDIS and rockfall in cave, and Koquillion tormenting Vicki and Bennett.) This is subverting the standard Doctor Who story and it does so by giving Hartnell a great confrontation scene.
Further / Recommended Reading: